Do you keep track of what gear you're in?

8/26/2014 7:58pm Edited Date/Time 2/18/2015 5:17pm
I've ridden for a few years but didn't dare ask this one in Moto-Related. :^)

I hear riders asking what gear someone hit a jump in.

When I approach a jump I just sort of "feel" whether I have enough speed or not and go for it (or not) accordingly.

Do people really count up and down for the whole race?


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RyanLester761
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8/27/2014 5:58am Edited Date/Time 8/27/2014 6:14am
You can usually (somewhat) memorize what gear you are in for particular sections of a track. This is especially true if you are familiar with the track and your bike. I tend to ride my 2010 YZ450 in 3rd and 4th gear almost everywhere on my local track (Hangtown). I will get into 4th on the straights.

A 125cc two-stroke is a bit harder to tell, in which case I try to pay attention to my gearbox.
mark_swart
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9/22/2014 6:38pm
I generally do not. Maybe the first time I try something, just to make sure I'm where I want to be? But I think I base it all more on momentum and feel.

harescrambled
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10/8/2014 7:24pm
I work off feel. That and keeping it in the power..
simmons97
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10/20/2014 3:37pm
Generally, when I'm not used to a track, I keep track of what gear and RPM I'm in for certain jumps. I'm on a 2012 YZ125 so I know that generally I take tight corners in 2nd and looser ones in 3rd. To me it's more of keeping track how many times I'm gonna have to shift down to make the corner right. If my RPM's are right going through and coming out of the corner, I know that I'm set for the jumps and I start grabbing gears to hit them right. It's mainly getting some bike time and knowing how your bike rides. But to the comment about keeping track the whole time, I used to literally speak out the gear I was in all the way until I was on superminis! Haha!

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markit
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10/22/2014 4:20pm
Not hard at all, usually my Fly gear.
Falcon
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10/24/2014 4:59pm
I always, ALWAYS know what gear I'm in. If I ever lose track, I will shift all the way down to 1st in a tight corner than shift back up accordingly.

I really don't know how anybody can ride any other way without crashing their brains out!
OldMechanik
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11/3/2014 5:34pm
Having rode 125s for so long.....yes....I almost always know what gear I'm in....moto or trails.
KMC440
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11/4/2014 2:12pm
Don't care as long as I'm haulin ass.

...and it's not neutral Blush yikes ! ! !
Reggsie
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11/12/2014 12:59am
My friend and I are exactly the same speed... I always know exactly what gear I'm in while he never does. I don't think it makes any difference whether you do or not, but if you're the type of person who does, then you always will be.
pitre94
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1/2/2015 9:04am Edited Date/Time 1/2/2015 9:05am
Always. I used to not do it, but now it helps a lot because this one time I was in top gear pinned and tried to shift up, and I ended up feeling like a dumbass. Blink So I learned from that haha
tomm55x
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1/4/2015 5:52am
I do sometimes, but if I think about it to much I lose focus on what I'm doing which isn't good and I slow down. It's a habit I'm actually trying to break, technically u should know by your rpm and speed in which I'm getting better at doing. Like anything else practice makes perfect.
Dragoo168
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1/13/2015 10:53am
Gears are like golf clubs,..you should learn the characteristics and limitations of each one. Once you know that, then counting gears isn't necessary, as you should be able to know and feel what gear the bike is in, by your speed, engine sound, and power delivery.
1/18/2015 11:27am
I'm a vet b rider, who does mostly hare scrambles and some moto. The YZ450 is perfect for me. I'm usually always in 2nd in the woods, occasionally touching 3rd. On the moto track the bike is usually in 3rd, occasionally touching 4th. The older you get (as well as the guys around you) the more you look for smooth and flow. The only time I like the rpms high is in the whoops to keep the front end up. I also agree with Dragoo. You should know what each gear "does" and "doesn't do" rather than worrying about what particular gear you're in.
imoto34
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2/8/2015 4:34am
Taller gear is better then to low.
.kyle
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2/9/2015 1:53pm
Falcon wrote:
I always, ALWAYS know what gear I'm in. If I ever lose track, I will shift all the way down to 1st in a tight corner...
I always, ALWAYS know what gear I'm in. If I ever lose track, I will shift all the way down to 1st in a tight corner than shift back up accordingly.

I really don't know how anybody can ride any other way without crashing their brains out!
Exactly this!
friday10
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2/18/2015 5:17pm
If you have to think about what gear you are in, you are doing it wrong! Keeping the bike in the right gear should be a natural feeling, keep the bike in the meat of the power.

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